Patient/caregiver was educated on advantages of mobility aids as follows:
- As individuals get older, they tend to lose muscle mass and develop problems with our joints. This results in loss of muscle strength and limitation of range of motion in the joints. This contributes to poor stability, mobility & balance problems, and increased risk for fall in seniors.
- Senior citizens can undergo hospitalizations for various reasons, such as, infections, surgeries, and emergencies. Individuals after prolonged hospitalizations can become severely weak and dependent on assistive devices for safe ambulation and performance of activities of daily living.
- Senior citizens could be on various medications, such as, medications to control blood pressure, blood sugar, pain, anxiety, and depression. Intake of a lot of medications can result in dizziness and confusion, which can further the fall risk.
- Noncompliance with use of recommended assistive devices is a significant factor contributing to serious falls and accidents.
- Falls and accidents can result in fractures, which can be difficult to heal in seniors. Falls significantly affect the life of many seniors and can make them non-weight bearing and bedbound. This can affect the quality and their outlook for life.
- Use of recommended assistive devices, such as, canes, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs can help lower fall risk. Assistive devices offer better support, improve balance, redistribute weight evenly, and restore stability. Compliance with use of assistive devices offer safety, improve the confidence, and slow the decline in senior citizens. Increased independence with ADL performance can result in improved quality of life for the senior and reduce risk for caregiver burnout.
